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Handgrip strength is associated with anthropometrics variables and sex in preschool children: A cross sectional study
Pedro Ángel Latorre Román1, David Mora López1, Beatriz Berrios Aguayo1
1University of Jaen, Department of Corporal Expression, Paraje de las Lagunillas s/n, Jaén, España, 23071, Spain.
Insights
This study established handgrip strength norms for preschoolers aged 3-6 years, finding boys performed better at ages 4 and 5. Muscular strength increased with age and correlated with body mass and height.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Human Physiology
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Assessing muscular strength in children is crucial for monitoring growth and development.
- Establishing age- and sex-specific normative data is essential for accurate interpretation of handgrip strength (HS) measurements.
- Previous research has not comprehensively addressed HS norms in preschool populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of age, sex, and anthropometric variables on handgrip strength in preschool children.
- To determine norm-referenced values for handgrip strength in a large sample of preschoolers.
- To provide a basis for muscular strength assessment in early childhood.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in a school setting.
- 1215 children aged 3-6 years (590 girls, 625 boys) participated.
- Handgrip strength was measured using the CAMRY hydraulic hand dynamometer.
Main Results:
- Boys showed significantly greater handgrip strength than girls at ages 4 and 5, with no significant differences at ages 3 and 6.
- Handgrip strength performance increased with age.
- Significant positive correlations were observed between handgrip strength and body mass, height, body mass index, and waist circumference.
Conclusions:
- This study provides valuable reference values for handgrip strength assessment in preschool children.
- Age and sex are significant factors influencing handgrip strength in this age group.
- The findings support the use of handgrip strength testing for evaluating muscular strength in preschoolers.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of age, sex and anthropometric variables in handgrip strength and to determine norm-referenced values for preschool children.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Schools.
Participants:
A total of 1215 children, aged 3-6 years (590 girls and 625 boys).
Intervention:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures:
Handgrip strength (HS), measured by the CAMRY hydraulic hand dynamometer (EH101; Camry, Guangdong Province, China).
Results:
Boys exhibited a greater performance than girls in the 4 and 5 years age groups, but no significant differences were found at 3 and 6 years. In relation to growth, HS performance was greater with increased age. The Pearson correlation analysis showed significant correlations between HS and body mass (r = 0.354, p < 0.001), body height (r = 0.352, p < 0.001), body mass index (r = 0.164, p < 0.001) and waist circumference (r = 0.118, p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
This study provides references values for muscular strength assessment by an HS test carried out on a large sample of preschoolers in relation to age and sex. Additionally, some differences in HS performance were found according to sex.
